It’s no secret that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has become a hot commodity in NFL circles, with his name linked to head coaching opportunities across several teams.
Johnson has earned acclaim for orchestrating the league’s top offense, drawing interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Notably, an NFL insider revealed that the Raiders are particularly “enamored” with Johnson, thanks in large part to new minority owner Tom Brady’s influence in the organization.
However, the overall competition for Johnsonâs services is heating up, with teams eager to make their pitch. The Dallas Cowboys could soon try to sneak their way into the hunt as well.
NFL insider Dianna Russini shed light on the situation during the Scoop City Podcast, discussing the key factors in the race for the Lions coordinator.
âTo me, itâs going to come down to Chicago, itâs going to come down to Jacksonville, who appears to be open to giving Ben Johnson whatever it is that he needs,â Russini said. âThen Tom Brady just in the ear. The Chicago one is the one Iâm watching closely.
âThis is a big hire. Weâre watching Jayden have so much success with Kliff Kingsbury and Dan Quinn and this thing is rolling. It looks easy for them. Nothing has looked easy for Caleb in Chicago. They need to find a way to bring someone in to apply that.â
Johnson is known to be quite picky. Simply put, he knows his worth and wants to make sure he doesn’t accept a poor opportunity where he’d be set up to fail.
Johnsonâs decision wonât be an easy one, as each potential team presents unique opportunities and challenges.
Las Vegas Raiders: The allure of Raiders ownership, led in-part by NFL legend Tom Brady, is a major draw. However, the team currently lacks a franchise quarterback, a significant hurdle for Johnsonâs offensive vision. With the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft, thereâs potential to secure a young quarterback, but uncertainties remain.
Chicago Bears: Despite the Bearsâ struggles this season, the opportunity to work with former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and a roster with offensive star power is enticing. The Bears are in desperate need of a transformative leader, making Johnsonâs role critical.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars boast a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, who, despite a shaky season, has shown flashes of brilliance. Team owner Shad Khan has reportedly assured that resources and support will be provided to secure Johnson.
While Johnson is a top contender for these coaching opportunities, his immediate focus remains on the Lionsâ playoff push.
With Detroit eyeing a Super Bowl run, Johnsonâs attention is firmly on the task at hand.
Success in the postseason could further elevate his standing, giving him even more leverage in deciding his future.
The race to land Ben Johnson will undoubtedly be one of the offseasonâs most closely watched storylines, as teams vie for the chance to bring in one of the NFLâs brightest offensive minds.
Some Detroit fans have come to terms with the fact that they will most likely be losing both Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn once their season is over.
Having said that, many Lions fans are worried that their offense will take a significant step back once Johnson does leave the team.
What are your thoughts on the Johnson situation? … At the end of the day, where do you think he’ll end up???
